While the official start to winter is weeks away, a solid north swell lit up the entire West Coast and had surfers from Santa Cruz to Ensenada waxing up the big boards and going for broke.

An exclusive photo gallery from the last couple days in south-swell-blessed yet cold-water-challenged California...

Euro chicks make a drop by to the contest zone; there is no riot.

Fall's arrival in Santa Cruz means beautiful weather and waves. The leaves are changing colors, the Northwest swells are rolling in, and your favorite rippers are shooting with Dave "Nelly" Nelson to get the gold. Stayed tuned for tons more from our main man from the real Surf City...All photos: Dave Nelson.